Can't Wait

Styxx

Friday, December 27, 2013

Valin, a Paladin warrior, is the black sheep of the warriors, for while he has a lightness about him, there is, also, a darkness. Even his special power of moving through shadows, puts him in a grey area more than the other warriors. Valin knows that Gabriella, a succubus vampire who fights against her dark side, is his mate. Unfortunately, Lucifer's minions are trying to gain power, and Gabriella and Valin are in their way.

PRINCE OF SHADOWS makes a good addition to the Paladin warrior series, even though it took me awhile to get into it. However, once the action picked up, I became enthralled by the plot and became invested in the characters, especially Gabriella. Gabriella is the daughter of a succubus and was turned into a vampire by her evil stepfather at the age of fourteen. Gabriella's stepfather has tortured her and tried to turn her to the evil side for years. Now, that her stepfather is thought to be dead, Gabriella is working with humans with special powers to stop evil creatures. The Paladins know nothing of this human group, but Valin is searching for Gabriella. When Valin finds Gabriella, the humans keep him and another Paladin in their center to keep an eye on them. Valin tries to get close to Gabriella but is hesitant to tell her his true feelings. Since his wife and unborn child were killed, Valin is having trouble letting go of the past, and Gabriella, who has been tortured for years, thinks herself unlovable. It is wonderful watching these two grow to love and sacrifice for each other.

While the pacing is a little slow to start, PRINCE OF SHADOWS ends with a bang, and this reader grew very attached to the characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series.